Required Class/Rank failed - Can we have Optimal Rank and Favoured Class back?

[AamesxDavid]

Though I think it would affect gameplay at some point. If there were no restrictions, I know some people would just wear Gladiator gear on all classes, even if it gave no benefit at all. Just to have the look of the armor or what have you.

Sure, it's possible that some people would, though I think it would be a pretty small minority.

If they took away all restrictions then I would have to start filtering my parties to make sure people have "the right gear".

This is the "I don't want to see dumb people" argument, and while I hear that concern (when it comes to parties), restrictions just hide the fact that they don't understand the needs of their class. That is, any GLA who would wear mage gear in a party is probably not going to benefit your party, even if you dress them up like a GLA. And as you say:

You can still wear things below your rank, and trust me a lot of people do that

It's possible that people do this because they can't afford/find newer gear, but to your more pertinent point about wearing gear of other classes, you can do this with the old gear. So how often have you seen a GLA in THM gear? When people are primarily concerned with aesthetics, they're usually not partying. If they are, do what you do with the people who wear level 25 gear as a level 42.

I'm all for freedom of choice, but I think destroying the balance of gear would further fuel people to say "I don't get it, when I wear this gear with a sword its great, but if I pick up a piece of wood (wand) I get no benefits at all?".

I can't prove wrong your speculation, of course, but I disagree. I think if someone sees that a piece of gear "suits" only GLA, and they get no benefit from it as a THM, it will be rather clear.

I'm just trying to understand the argument... is that right, you just want to look a certain way? lol... still confused a bit

If it's easier for you to have a real reason, then fine, go with that. But once again, my real argument is that it simply doesn't matter why you'd do it. There's no gameplay reason for a level 50 to equip level 1 gear, but they are free to do it.